I don't feel SPAMmed in the slightest, sir. That's Kisshokan, eh? Mine is much smaller (I got it last year from Starr Nursery) it's fairly different (although to be perfectly honest the first thing I thought of was 'That's an exotic-looking one that's like 'Kk'...'). What a gorgeous plant, sez me. Was that rain and the picture taken in the summer?

A. 'Confederate Rose' has very rough-textured leaves, almost like sandpaper, so your guy may be yet another form of A. isthmensis; some have very smooth leaves like A. 'Kissho Kan', while others, like A. verschaffeltii (invalid name for another A. isthmensis form) can feel a little more textured.

There you go -- and put your money on A. ithsmensis. Focus on the 'Kichiokan' aspect of the Arid Lands name, and toss A. potatorum into the dung heap. Look up A. 'Kichiokan' in Greg's book for more info, where he suggests floral characteristics that bridge A. isthmensis and A. pygmae (invalid nomen for A. seemanniana).

I think this is a great topic, T. I find my self marveling at the symmetry and design of plants. In my backyard we get shamelessly dopey and philosophical.
The evolution of plants (and all life) is endlessly fascinating for me. Staring at one of my beauties and trying to imagine how and why it came to be that way, well I could do that all day.

Mostly orchids and tropicals...No succulents this time around. Some are upstairs in a very cool room but in a nice sunny window, and the rest under lights in the basement. Yeah, it can cost quite a bit when not covered by solar cover, but I figure it's the only thing I spend my money on for a few moths now that I sacrifice spending money some where else.